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Over the last 40 years the treatment of urolithiasis passed from open surgical therapies to minimally invasive approaches. From the introduction of the first ureteroscopes in ‘80s many technological improvements allowed to reduce endourological instruments’ size, ensuring in the meanwhile an increasingly high success rate in the resolution of the urolithiasis. The purpose of the study is to review the current role of the ureteroscopy(URS) in the treatment of urinary stones. A non-systematic review was performed considering the most recent Guidelines and results from Literature. The results confirm that, considering ureteral calculi, the stone-free rate (SFR) for URS is significantly higher than for ESWL in the treatment of distal ureteral stones 10 mm. Endoscopy has a first-line role also in the treatment of proximal ureteral stones >10 mm, together with ESWL. Retreatment rate and ancillary procedures are also lower in patients treated with URS, despite it is more invasive if compared with ESWL. Recent data are available in Literature about the treatment of nephrolithiasis with Retrograde Intra-Renal Surgery (RIRS). RIRS is the first-line treatment, together with ESWL, for stones 20 mm. However, for large renal stones the role of RIRS is still being discussed. In conclusion, the majority of urinary stones can be treated by rigid or flexible URS. Further studies are required to clarify the role of endoscopy in the treatment of large stones, especially if compared to percutaneous approaches.

Since ancient times, sutures have been a fundamental part of the surgeon's practice. Beside the vegetable and animal origin materials, in the last decades different refined synthetic materials have been introduced in the clinical practice. More recently, different devices, such as staplers and tissue sealers have been developed. Thus, more than ever, urologists are faced with a multitude of suture materials, and research of safe, effective materials and devices seems to be continuously growing. The introduction and widespread diffusion of laparoscopic and robotic surgery has further boosted this research. Given there is no single material that is ideal for all situations, the surgeon must choose the best material for each particular case. The aim of this non-systematic review is to summarize the more innovative suture materials and devices and to describe the different surgical methods to utilize them both in general and in urologic surgery.